Chapter 31 OBIG Vol. 2 Chapter 2 Part 4

──● The Basketball Club Junior High Girl is Serious ●○●

Most of my classmates in the basketball club are nice girls.

When I was being harassed by the upperclassmen, these girls were always on my side. …Oh, and the harassment itself has gotten a lot better than before, thanks to Onii-san. Really, I can’t thank him enough.

Anyway, all my classmates are good friends, and I trust them.

So, I was thinking that when we become third-years, I’d like for all of us to work hard together in tournaments and stuff, but.

“Ehh~~ who is that handsome guy!! Hey, Yuka, why didn’t you tell us there was someone like that here?!”

“I think I’ll start coming here every day…”

“Yuka, you were planning on keeping him all to yourself, weren’t you! What have you been up to all this time! Did you do it! You did it, didn’t you! How far? How far did you go! You closet pervert!”

…I think I’m about to start hating them right now.

Why did things turn out like this?

Today, we just happened to have no club practice, and everyone was free, so we decided to play some basketball.

There was talk of using the community gym, but it’s stuffy inside, and people wanted to play outside.

Luckily, I knew about the park where I play basketball with Onii-san, so I suggested it.

…It’s my special place with Onii-san, so I was a little reluctant, but…

So, we were playing basketball at the park, but while we were taking a short break, a man started using the court to play.

“What! Someone took our spot while we were gone~!”

“…Wait a minute, isn’t that a guy? It’s rare to see one all alone.”

Hearing my friend’s words, I looked over at the person… and I immediately knew it was Onii-san.

His height, his aura, and… his playing style.

I would have known with just one of those, but with all three, there was no way I wouldn’t know.

The person I love.

“Hey, Yuka, where are you going?”

“Yuka, no! Even if you are a closet pervert, it’s a crime to do that to a random stranger!”

…Isn’t that a little too rude?

I’m not a closet pervert! I’m normal! I’m average, average!!

And so… it was fine up until I called out to Onii-san, but…

Before I knew it, the three of them had come over, and what’s more, they asked Onii-san to teach them how to play basketball!

Th-That’s my special privilege…

“U-Um, Onii-san has been personally coaching me…”

“What kind of coaching have you been getting???”

“Private lessons of love… details, please.”

“I was thinking you’ve seemed more mature lately, so that’s what it was…”

“That’s not it!!! Ugh, I really hate this!! Don’t say rude things to Onii-san, okay?!”

Ugh, this is the worst.

At this rate, there’s no telling what they’ll say to Onii-san…

“Uh~ Yuka, I think I’ll head home after all. I feel bad.”

“Ah! N-No, that’s not it! Onii-san, d-don’t go…”

“…? You sure?”

I don’t want Onii-san to go home.

But I’m worried the other three will say something weird to him.

I don’t know what to do anymore~!!

And while I was having a meltdown, the three of them were happily introducing themselves to Onii-san.

Is-Is this going to be okay…?

Ah. Miho is shaking Onii-san’s hand…

Ugh~~ I’m getting so annoyed~~ Onii-san is my Onii-san…

“Moo~~~~!!!!”

I shouldn’t have suggested this park in the first place!

Surprisingly, once they started getting coached, they all listened quietly.

So they really do love basketball, all of them.

Knowing that made me a little happy. Onii-san was coaching them according to their level, and he was properly coaching me, too.

Every time, he’d say, “Like I told you before, Yuka~,” which made me feel special and happy.

The time I spent with Onii-san is precious to me.

I hope it’s become that way for Onii-san, too.

“Onii-san, pass!”

“You’re amazing, Onii-san!”

…Putting that aside, why is everyone calling him Onii-san? He’s my Onii-san… Ugh, I think I’m going crazy.

Anyway, if everyone is going to call him Onii-san, then I have to change what I call him.

Masato-san…? But he said he was happy when I called him Onii-san before… Masato-niisan. Yeah, I’ll go with that.

“Onii-san, Onii-san!”

During a break, Suzuka ran over to Masato-niisan.

…I have a bad feeling about this.

“Onii-san, what exactly is Yuka-chan to you?!”

“Hey, Suzuka!!??”

What the hell are you saying!!!

I immediately grabbed Suzuka by the head.

“Ouch, ouch!… But you’re curious too, aren’t you, Yuka?”

“Guh…”

Sh-She’s right, I am curious. To Masato-niisan, what am I…?

I’d be so happy if he thought of me as important…

After what happened the other day… maybe, he’s even started to like me…

“Yuka, huh… Well, we haven’t known each other for that long, but. To me, she’s already like a little sister.”

A sharp pain shot through my chest.

“A-A little sister…”

A little sister.

It’s true, in terms of closeness, I think it’s pretty similar. I can tell he cares about me.

But a little sister isn’t good enough.

Because.

As long as he thinks of me as a little sister, he’ll never fall in love with me.

I’ll never be his girlfriend.

I’m in love with Masato-niisan.

So I want him to fall in love with me.

The pain in my chest spread, a dull ache.

“Do you have a girlfriend, Onii-san~?!”

Miho!? That’s a pretty intense question!?

“I don’t. I’m single.”

Phew…! Th-That’s a relief.

If he had said yes, I probably would have cried. I’m not lying.

I think I would have just cried and gone home.

“Ehh~ That’s so surprising! Okay, okay! Then I nominate myself as a girlfriend candidate~!”

“Miho!!!”

You’re so frivolous, Miho!

And besides, didn’t you just say you got a boyfriend!?

After practice.

I took a deep breath and went to thank Masato-niisan.

Alone.

“Um, thank you very much. Ma-Masato-niisan.”

“Hm? No, no. I should be the one apologizing for interrupting… They’re nice girls. You should treasure them.”

“You’re right. If you’d like, please come and watch one of our games sometime.”

“Oh, definitely. I’d love to see you play in a game, Yuka.”

…I’m so happy.

Just hearing him say that warms my heart.

I’m so simple…

Okay. That’s exactly why I need to change his perception of me as a little sister.

The words came out before I could stop them.

“Uh, um…”

“Hm?”

But what should I say?

Countless words floated in my mind and then disappeared.

I don’t have the courage to confess.

But I can’t just ask him to see me as a girl. That’s basically a confession.

It’s not that I hate being treated like a little sister.

I’m happy when he pats my head or praises me.

But I want our relationship to take one more step forward.

“…It’s nothing.”

“…? You sure? Well then, see you next time. I’m always down for practice.”

You coward.

I cursed myself in my head.

But to Masato-niisan, I smiled.

“Yes. Next time, I want to practice, just the two of us.”

“Hahaha, you’re right. If I’m teaching you, Yuka, it’s better if it’s just the two of us.”

Just the two of us—

Those words made my heart skip a beat.

Maybe Masato-niisan wants it to be just the two of us, too.

…Someday, for sure. I’ll make Masato-niisan see me as more, much more.

Unlike everyone else, this love of mine is—

“Yes!! I’ll be in your care again!”

—For real.

That night.

I changed into my pajamas, flopped onto my bed, and got lost in my thoughts.

I kept replaying Onii-san Masato’s words from today.

“To me, she’s like a little sister.”

A little sister, huh. A little sister.

How do I graduate from being his little sister?

“I guess I have to make him see me as a woman,” I mumbled to myself.

How to get the person you love to notice you… I tried looking it up online, but honestly, I couldn’t figure it out. There weren’t many examples for when the guy is older, so it wasn’t much help.

But I think the most important thing is to make him aware of me.

Aware… how do I do that?

Hug him? No, that won’t work. I already did that once when I was overwhelmed with emotion, and it just ended with him patting my head.

It would just end up being written off as little-sisterly affection.

Hold his hand? Mmm, a hug is a step above that, right?

So, if that’s the case, I need something more than a hug…

“A kiss… maybe.”

My face suddenly flushed hot.

I smashed my face into my pillow.

No, no, no! I can’t do that!

But… it might actually work. If I go that far, he’ll definitely become aware of me.

Masato-niisan’s beautiful face filled my mind.

That face… those lips…

“…!”

M-My head is starting to spin.

C-Could I even do it? But if I could, how wonderful would that be?

I wonder how sweet, how delicious a first kiss dedicated to your first love would be.

“Haaaah…”

This time, I hugged my pillow tightly.

The feeling of hugging Masato-niisan.

I’ve never forgotten it. I can remember it vividly.

If I were to actually kiss him…

The more I think about it, the dizzier I get.

Maybe even… what comes after that.

Ah.

…Looks like I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.

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Header: In Maeda Yuka’s case

 < Yuka

Yuka: Masato-niisan, thank you for today. (18:14)

Masato: Not at all! I had fun too. (Read, 19:42)

Yuka: About what we talked about today, you said you don’t have a girlfriend, right? (20:02)

Masato: Yeah, I don’t. I haven’t had one for a long time (lol). (Read, 21:23)

Yuka: So, like, isn’t there anyone you like or anything? (21:34)

Masato: I don’t think so, I’ve never really thought about it! (Read, 21:52)

Yuka: I see. (21:59)

Masato: Why the sudden question? (Read, 22:10)

Masato: Ah, I get it! You’ve got a crush on someone at school, don’t you! (Read, 22:10)

Masato: It’s fine to get a boyfriend, but you have to introduce him to your big brother properly! (Read, 22:11)

Masato: Because I’m going to have to properly assess whether he’s a good match for Yuka! (Read, 22:11)

Yuka: ……You’re an idiot, Masato-niisan. (22:50)

Masato: Huh!? (Read, 23:01)